Judges 3:27 kjv
And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
Judges 3:27 nkjv
And it happened, when he arrived, that he blew the trumpet in the mountains of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mountains; and he led them.
Judges 3:27 niv
When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them.
Judges 3:27 esv
When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader.
Judges 3:27 nlt
When he arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, Ehud sounded a call to arms. Then he led a band of Israelites down from the hills.
Judges 3 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 10:9 | "When you go to war... you shall sound a blast..." | Trumpet as a signal for war and deliverance |
| Num 10:2 | "...make two silver trumpets... for calling the congregation" | Trumpet for assembling the people |
| Joel 2:1 | "Blow a trumpet in Zion... for the day of the Lord..." | Trumpet as a warning/call to action |
| Josh 6:4-5 | "...blow with the ram’s horn... the wall will fall down." | Trumpet for divine intervention/victory |
| 1 Sam 13:3 | "Jonathan blew the trumpet throughout the land..." | Call to arms by a leader |
| Judges 2:16 | "Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them..." | God raises deliverers like Ehud |
| Judges 3:9 | "The Lord raised up Othniel... who saved them." | Pattern of God raising deliverers |
| Judges 4:6 | "Deborah sent and summoned Barak... Go, gather your men..." | God-ordained leadership assembling forces |
| Judges 6:34-35 | "The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon... and he blew the trumpet..." | Spirit-filled deliverer rallying people |
| Judges 7:3 | "Proclaim in the ears of the people, ‘Whoever is fearful..." | Assembly of fighting men for divine warfare |
| 1 Sam 11:7 | "Saul took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces... sent them... throughout all the territory of Israel, saying, 'Whoever does not come out after Saul...' " | Another urgent call to muster Israel |
| Exod 14:13-14 | "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." | God fights for His people |
| Deut 20:1-4 | "The Lord your God is with you, to fight for you..." | God's presence in battle for Israel |
| Isa 27:13 | "...a great trumpet will be blown, and they will come..." | Future gathering of dispersed Israel |
| Matt 24:31 | "He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call..." | Trumpet at the Lord's return, gathering elect |
| 1 Thess 4:16 | "...the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God." | Trumpet signals the Lord's authoritative return |
| Isa 42:1-4 | "Behold my servant, whom I uphold... He will bring forth justice..." | God's chosen servant (Messiah) as leader |
| Zech 10:5 | "They shall be like mighty warriors in battle... for the Lord their God will aid them." | Divine strength for God's warriors |
| Heb 11:32-34 | "...of Gideon, Barak, Samson... who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." | Faith exemplified by judges and deliverers |
| Luke 9:23 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." | Call to follow God's chosen leader (Jesus) |
| John 10:4 | "When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him..." | Leadership of the Shepherd, followership |
| Neh 4:20 | "In whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there." | Rallying cry in times of danger |
Judges 3 verses
Judges 3 27 Meaning
Judges 3:27 describes the pivotal moment immediately after Ehud assassinated King Eglon of Moab. Having escaped to the hill country of Ephraim, Ehud signals to the Israelites scattered across the region by blowing a shofar, a ram's horn trumpet. This trumpet blast serves as an urgent summons and a declaration of war. In response, the people of Israel, understanding the call to divine battle and deliverance, descended from their various positions in the hills and rallied under Ehud's direct leadership, preparing to engage their Moabite oppressors. This act demonstrates Ehud's strategic planning, the prompt obedience of the Israelites, and the clear manifestation of God's appointed deliverer.
Judges 3 27 Context
This verse is set during the turbulent period of the Judges in Israel's history. Following the death of the previous oppressor (Cushan-Rishathaim), Israel again "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (Judges 3:12), leading to eighty years of oppression under Eglon, the king of Moab. The Lord, in His mercy, raised up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as a deliverer. The immediate preceding narrative (Judges 3:15-26) describes Ehud's clever assassination of King Eglon, who had become very fat. After carrying out this covert mission in Eglon's palace, Ehud locked the doors and escaped to a place of safety near Seirah. Judges 3:27 then picks up with Ehud's public declaration and mobilization, transforming a secret act of liberation into an open, divinely sanctioned war against the Moabites, setting the stage for the Israelites' victory and eighty years of peace that followed (Judges 3:28-30).
Judges 3 27 Word analysis
- When he arrived: Hebrew: וַיְהִי בְּבֹאוֹ (va-y'hi b'vo'o) – literally, "and it was in his coming." This highlights the immediacy of Ehud's action after his successful escape from Eglon’s palace. It underscores Ehud’s resolve to strike while the enemy was disoriented and the opportunity was ripe.
- he blew: Hebrew: וַיִּתְקַע (va-yitqa') – This verb "taka'" signifies not just a simple blowing, but a strong, penetrating blast, often used for sounding an alarm or war cry. It suggests authority and urgency, typical of a divine summons.
- the trumpet: Hebrew: בַּשּׁוֹפָר (ba-sho-far) – the shofar, or ram's horn. The shofar was a sacred instrument in Israel. It was not merely for signaling but was deeply connected to God’s presence, the giving of the Law (Exod 19:16), priestly rituals (Lev 23:24), war cries (Josh 6), and national assembly. Blowing the shofar implies a divine call to action, invoking Yahweh’s presence and authorization for the battle. This distinguishes it from a simple human call to arms, suggesting a holy war.
- in the mountains of Ephraim: Hebrew: בְּהַר אֶפְרָיִם (b'har Ef-ra-yim) – This refers to the rugged, defensible central hill country of Ephraim. It was a strategic location for rallying forces due to its natural protection and being less likely to be under immediate Moabite scrutiny compared to the Jordan plains. Ehud, being from Benjamin, was operating in adjacent territory, leveraging familiar terrain. It facilitated a swift, decentralized assembly.
- and the people of Israel: Hebrew: וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (u-v'nei Yis-ra-el) – "And the sons of Israel," indicating the full, collective identity of the covenant people of God, acting as one body. This highlights the unity and collective response to God's deliverer.
- went down with him from the hills: Hebrew: יָרְדוּ עִמּוֹ מִן־הָהָר (yar'du immo min ha-har) – The phrase "went down from the hills" suggests they descended from their scattered settlements, fortified positions, or individual homes in the mountainous region to assemble at a designated point with Ehud. This spontaneous gathering demonstrates their eagerness for liberation and their trust in Ehud’s call, recognizing God's hand in it.
- with him leading them: Hebrew: וְהוּא לִפְנֵיהֶם (v'hu lifneihem) – "And he [was] before them." This clearly establishes Ehud’s position as the recognized and active leader. He wasn't just directing from afar; he was at the head, ready to lead them into battle. This portrays decisive and courageous leadership, directly following his bold assassination.
Judges 3 27 Bonus section
The swiftness of Ehud’s action post-assassination, without wasting any time, is key to the success of the military campaign. By calling the troops immediately, he seized the momentum while the Moabite forces were likely unaware or in disarray following Eglon’s death. The "mountains of Ephraim" served as a secure rallying point for the Israelite militia, contrasting sharply with the vulnerable plains where the Moabite forces likely had an advantage. The concept of God raising a "left-handed" deliverer (Judges 3:15) finds practical significance here; Ehud's escape from the heavily guarded palace and his ability to initiate a nationwide rally quickly, without direct capture, testifies to the Lord's strategic favor upon him. The subsequent victory (Judges 3:28-30) against ten thousand Moabite men, indicating a thorough defeat, shows the fruit of this strategic and divinely led initial assembly.
Judges 3 27 Commentary
Judges 3:27 marks the transition from a covert operation to an overt national liberation movement under divine mandate. Ehud, having executed God’s judgment upon Eglon, now takes on his full role as deliverer, utilizing the traditional method of sounding the shofar to call Israel to battle. This act is pregnant with spiritual significance; the shofar blast was not merely a military signal but a sacred call, announcing Yahweh's impending action and the rally for His holy war. The immediate response of the Israelites, descending from their positions to join Ehud, speaks volumes about their long-suffering under Moabite oppression and their deep yearning for deliverance. Their ready obedience demonstrates their recognition of Ehud as God's chosen leader, confirming that God's hand was upon him. This verse exemplifies decisive leadership, communal response to a divine call, and preparation for a divinely sanctioned war that would restore peace to Israel. It serves as a potent reminder that true deliverance for God's people comes through His appointed means and their obedient cooperation.